Chief Operating Officer (Aerospace Systems)

Monarch Space Systems, Inc.; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 200,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement with employer match

Paid time off

Job summary

Monarch Space Systems seeks a Chief Operating Officer to lead execution, program delivery, and scaling across aerospace and space systems programs. The COO will architect the Contract Surge & Institutional Ramp Framework and translate mission strategy into operational reality.

This Cleveland, Ohio role is onsite, full-time, reporting to the Founder & CEO. Compensation includes $200,000-$325,000 base plus executive incentives and equity participation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• 15+ years of progressive operations leadership in aerospace, defense, or advanced technology.
• Experience scaling federal contract programs from award to sustained performance.
• Deep knowledge of FAR, DFARS, ITAR/EAR, CMMC, and federal program execution requirements.
• Experience building and leading PMOs in government contractor environments.
• U.S. citizenship; active or clearance-eligible strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operational functions including aerospace program execution, workforce deployment, and quality systems.
• Own and evolve the Contract Surge Model from award through stabilization on 0-180 day ramp timelines.
• Direct prime contractor integration including FAR/DFARS compliance and CDRL management.
• Oversee facilities planning and coordination across operations and infrastructure.
• Lead quality management development aligned with ISO 9001:2015 and CMMI.
• Build and lead PMO infrastructure for multi-program portfolio management.
• Partner with CFO on earned value management and contract financial performance.
• Coordinate workforce surge planning, onboarding, and knowledge management.
• Oversee subcontractor governance and performance management.
• Interface with government oversight, audits, and regulatory compliance operations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Program management

Aerospace/defense experience

PMO leadership

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering/Operations Management

Tools

EVMS

ANSI-748

CMMI

Job description

Chief Operating Officer (Aerospace Systems)

Cleveland, OH (Onsite Strongly Preferred) Full-Time Phased hiring based on investment timing and/or contract award Executive Leadership $200,000-$325,000 base + executive incentive | Equity participation and long-term incentive structure

About the Role

Monarch Space Systems seeks a Chief Operating Officer to lead institutional execution, program delivery, and organizational scaling across aerospace and space systems programs. The COO will serve as the principal architect of the firm's Contract Surge & Institutional Ramp Framework, responsible for translating mission strategy into operational reality across engineering services programs, quality systems, prime contractor integration, and facilities. This is a direct report to the Founder & CEO with equity participation and long-term incentive eligibility. Primary location is Cleveland, Ohio.

Responsibilities

• Lead all day-to-day operational functions including aerospace program execution, workforce deployment, and quality systems
• Own and evolve the Contract Surge Model - managing institutional scaling from award through stabilization across 0-180 day ramp timelines
• Direct prime contractor integration posture including FAR / DFARS compliance, CDRL management, and configuration control for space systems programs
• Oversee facilities planning and coordination across operational and planned infrastructure
• Lead quality management system development aligned with ISO 9001:2015 and CMMI maturity principles
• Build and lead program management office ( PMO ) infrastructure for multi-program portfolio management
• Partner with CFO on earned value management and contract financial performance
• Coordinate workforce surge planning, institutional onboarding, and knowledge management activation
• Oversee subcontractor mobilization, governance, and performance management
• Serve as primary interface for government oversight, audit preparation, and regulatory compliance operations

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field
• 15+ years of progressive operations leadership in aerospace, defense, or advanced technology
• Demonstrated experience scaling federal contract programs - managing surge from award through sustained performance
• Deep knowledge of FAR , DFARS , ITAR / EAR , CMMC , and federal program execution requirements
• Experience building and leading program management offices (PMOs) in government contractor environments
• U.S. citizenship required; active or clearance-eligible strongly preferred

The qualifications above describe the ideal candidate profile for this role - not an inflexible checklist. Monarch Space Systems evaluates the whole of a candidate's experience, judgment, and mission alignment, and welcomes a conversation with individuals of exceptional ability whose backgrounds differ from the profile in some respects. Certain criteria - including U.S. citizenship and export-control ( ITAR / EAR ) eligibility, where stated - are legal mandates and cannot be waived.

• Experience as COO, VP Operations, or Deputy Program Manager at a prime aerospace or defense contractor
• Familiarity with EVMS , ANSI -748, and earned value contract management
• Track record building quality management systems for ISO or CMMI certification
• Experience managing multi-site or distributed engineering teams under federal contracts

This position may require eligibility to access controlled or proprietary information and may be subject to confidentiality and employment agreements, including an NDA and role-specific restrictive covenants, in accordance with applicable laws.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Paid time off, federal holidays, and personal leave
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Downtown Cleveland parking or transit subsidy
• Collaborative, mission-driven institutional culture
• Executive compensation package including long-term incentive structure and potential equity participation
• Direct strategic influence over institutional architecture and execution model